National news release

News story about Anderson's research (Mar. 2001)

Microbiologist Robin Anderson Is Named a “Scientist of the Year”

BELTSVILLE, Md., Feb. 12—Research microbiologist Robin C. Anderson has been named the “Southern Plains Area Early Career Scientist of the Year” by the Agricultural Research Service. ARS, the chief scientific research agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will present Anderson with the award at a ceremony today at the agency's headquarters in Beltsville, Md. ARS' Southern Plains Area includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.

Anderson's citation is for accomplishments in the development of a preharvest feed or water supplement that reduces Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in food animals. He has been responsible for conceiving and leading research exploiting physiological differences existing between pathogenic bacteria—such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7—and the host's beneficial flora.

His development of a low-cost, patented chlorate supplementation strategy has received attention among the scientific community and among industry leaders, as evidenced by more than 50 scientific and media contacts (including Science, Discovery and the Associated Press).

Anderson works at ARS' Food and Feed Safety Research Unit in College Station, Texas. He has been invited to speak at prestigious scientific forums, such as annual meetings of the American Society for Microbiology and the International Association for Food Protection.

Anderson began his work as a research associate at ARS' National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, from 1995 to 1996. He has worked at College Station—first as a research associate and then as a research microbiologist—since 1996.

Anderson received his B.S. in animal science in 1989 from Colorado State University. He earned his M.S. in microbiology in 1991 and Ph.D. in microbiology and animal nutrition in 1995, both from Iowa State University.